Non-Owner With A Dilemma
 

Have a bit of a dilemma on my hands, need some unbiased advice from the 370z community.

Recently bought a 2010 Challenger SRT8 at the end of December, after the first 1000 miles my car has stalled twice in the middle of traffic and the car has had a sporadic issue of not recognizing my key fob.

So far this problem is widespread on a large number of Chrysler models and many people have had it happen well over 20 times. The company has refused to acknowledge it/find a fix and the dealers have been unhelpful. Hate to make a mountain out of a mole hill but I'm afraid of the car stalling in the middle of a busy intersection and possibly getting rear ended. Very unsafe and I'm starting to think about flipping in for a 370z.

I loved the 370z when I drove it, but talked myself out of it due to the road noise and lack of a model that suited me.

Hoping for some opinions/thoughts from you guys about what to do...the Challenger forum has been pretty short sighted saying DON'T TRADE FOR THAT JAP CRAP...not exactly helpful.

It sounds to me that you should have your timing checked for the stalling issue. as far as the key fob have you tried using the other fob? if you continue to have problems then I would call corporate about your problems. I would hate for you to lose all that money you have put into a new car only to lose more for another one. at any rate I love my z and would recommend it to anyone, but you have to decide if you want a muscle car or a sports car. Good luck and keep us informed. and by the way you have to show some pics even it is not a z.

Thanks for your advice. Unfortunately many MANY people have contacted both Chrysler corporate AND the NHTSA regarding the issue and not getting anywhere. The problem is very difficult to replicate and even though the dealer has replaced certain parts on the affected cars, the issue still occurs. It really is an odd phantom issue, makes me think American cars just aren't quite up to snuff yet :shakes head:

Also, will try to post pics soon! :tup: It really is a beautiful car, but if it's trying to kill me I don't want much to do with it haha.

In regards to the money, it would probably be a pretty close to even trade for the Z...know some people at Nissan NA in Franklin that will be able to get me a solid deal.

You know, seems like a typical response one would get from the Chrysler forum.

I personally don't like the Challengers... I'd never own one. Seems too expensive for something made so cheaply. I don't care for nostalgia, or old school Americana.

I love my Z, I enjoy driving it, I enjoy modding it, I enjoy cleaning it... The Z community is great, most people are helpful and welcoming.

If I bought my Z and had the same problems that you have with your SRT8, I'd probably be thinking about trading it in too.

When you say there was a lack of trim that suited you... what do you mean by that?

**EDIT**

Just noticed you're from BR! It'd be nice to have another Z rolling around!

Im in NOLA, and I am curious as to what dealership you bought from and what are they telling you regarding your issues?

Kind of stating the obvious but muscle cars and sports cars really are two very different things, even though the general American public lumps them together. I am confident in saying the Z is of higher build and materials quality than the Challenger but that may not be enough for you if a spots car is not your thing.

That being said, I absolutely love my Roadster. The road noise is not that bad though I understand the Coupes have more problems with road debris noise from the wheel wells than the Roadsters do. As a previous owner of 2 Miatas my Z is smooth and quiet in comparison. And nothing compares to finding a twisty patch of road. It would be better still if I had some driving training and felt comfortable pushing the car closer to it's limits.

In the end if you need a back seat, large trunk and smoother ride you will probably be unhappy with the Z after the newness wares off. If you really don't need the larger car and want something fun to drive then I think you would love the Z, loud or not.

Noise issue can easily be tamed by dynamat if it bothers you. Sounds like some of you newbs are fragile. Been reading about noise issues lately. Its not THAT loud... boo hoo

I would expect muscle car folks would be more manly...

i agree with u ,, i use my 370z as a daily driver its my only car and trust its not that loud. the noise its just like my civic ex that i had before

I find my cabin to be very quiet!

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1295191218

you get a mini van

Im from BR also. I have a Roush mustang and a 40th ann so I can kind of see it from both sides. The Z isnt practicle for most people only having 2 seats and all (my mustang might as well not have a back though). I would be quite pissed if I was having the problem that you are. What dealer did you get it from?

Welcome! :hello:

If the Nissan 370Z is a Jap Crap, then the Dodge Challenger must be a dog sh*t car...

The stalling issue would DEFINITELY concern me. Really? Corporate isn't acknowledging it? What do the dealer mechanics say? It's obviously a warranty issue: a brand new car shouldn't just shut down. Maybe it's a simple fix some mechanic with smarts can figure out.

You'll be driving into a different realm, coming from a muscle car. What swayed you to that neck of the woods? If it's nostalgia and heritage, getting a Z really won't help you satisfy that need.

:icon18:

Jap Crap? Isn't Chrysler now owned by the Italian car company Fiat?

I would rather have a Japanese sports car than an Italian muscle car...though I would like an Italian sports car...

Wow, lots of responses here.

To the BR/NOLA guys: bought from Ralph Sellers...so far all they have said is until Chrysler issues an official TSB they can't do much AND since they can't recreate it they can't fix it. Also the car is not throwing codes, everything checks out...but the car still has issues. Same thing for close to between 200 and 300 people on the forum.

The Jap Crap comment was not mine, but rather that of other people. I've personally owned 3 Nissans, 1 Toyota and 1 Honda.

The road noise doesn't bother me in the 370z, it's just the engine sounds like it's straining. I've owned a G37 and am amazed at how smooth the VQ37 feels in that car compared to the Z. May be something I would get used to over time but definitely jumped out at me the first time I drove it.

I bought the Challenger because I had never owned an American car before, hated the Camaro and the Mustang (despite being an awesome car performance wise) was just too "dime a dozen" for me. Guess I fell into all the hype, now starting to realize that although the car is gorgeous and pretty fast, it's not worth dying over.

Sorry to hear the problems you are having.

I have had my 370Z two full years (bought on Jan 15, 2009) and have really enjoyed it until last week.

Last week it sat in the shop for 5 days because the "Intelligent" (yeah, right) key system failed. The car would not crank and had to ride a flatbed to the dealership, where they originally told me it would be FIVE DAYS before they could look at it (a car under warranty). they said - get this - that I did not have an appointment. A call to Nissan consumer affairs put the rush on them. They diagnosed it that day, still took 5 days to get it back.

Frankly, that episode was a major PITA. I almost traded the car in for a Toyota truck. The next time it happens I doubt the car will still be under warranty. I am going to purchase the failed part - steering wheel lock unit - and hold onto it. The next time I will change it myself.

if italian i would rather have spagetti with meatballs. :yum:

If I had the same issues in my Z as you have in the Challenger I would not be looking to get rid of it.
Stalling twice and a key fob issues would not be enough for me to get rid of the car.
I love the Z and would be looking for Nissan to fix my problem under warranty.

Is a little bit of regret creeping in that you didn't get the Z?
If so.... Get the Z! Life is Short!

I say stick it out a little longer. All cars have problems and sooner or later someone will find a fix. It may not be from the manufacturer, but someone usually figures it out.

I like the retro styling of the the Challenger, but the interior was kind of meh! I wouldn't buy that car, but I could certainly live with it, especially if it has a V8 Hemi.

A 2010 Srt is a sick ride. If the dealer wont fix the problem keep it. No sense in losing your *** in a trade in over something minor that will get a fix sooner or later.


I agree with Mikes comment on the interior...

Why did you get rid of the G37 then? If road noise and the smoothness of that you explain are one of your deciding factors, then you're talking about the difference between a 370 and a G37 (plus $$$). I have ridden in a few G37's (both coupe and sedan) and the lux interior, exhaust, and the cabin/road noise are the main differences.

The 370 is raw sports... So if you're looking for something sportier than the G37 you had then you need to decide if you can live with the noise. Then again, if it's a matter of "living with" anything, maybe that's not the right car?

steveg- please do not post logical questions. :icon17:

Just curious, but have you and the other guys on the mopar forum talked about possibly writing a letter threatening a class action lawsuit and getting it signed by everyone on the forum before you send it to coporate?

I traded in a 2010 Camaro SS for my Z. Had tons of problems with the camaro. I don't regret my decision at all and I definitely have more fun with the Z!

I never understood the complaints of the road noise.

I never found it annoying, I strangely feel like the tirenoise is soothing.

only time it annoys me if I drive on a shitty road and something starts dancing in my wheel arches.

get the Z and ship the challenger here :p

Sell that baby, and write up a description like those carfax commercials: "Beautiful car with auto turn-off feature."

Can't go wrong with a Z

Wow, did you see kenchan go all kenchan on that guy?!?

Shameless self-reference to the multiple real estate investments you own, LunaZ!

You should mate those. Seriously. A Roush and a Z would make beautiful babies.

This is brilliant marketing. Show the Challenger on the screen. Narrator speaks Italian. Cars sell like canolis.

My wife says to tell you it is Italian. I'm not listening because now you have made me hungry, ken. Yet again. Usually it is with your charburger references, but now you have gone all global on me with the pasta and meatballs reference.

Seriously, I agree with this post. If it keeps up, there is always the lemon law. In for pics of the Challenger bythe way :tup:

Agree with others. But your first mistake was not getting the 370....
Can't figure out why lately the great debate over road noise has popped up
it's a 2 seat sports car come on! it's really not all that bad.........

but back on point about 8 years ago i bought a piece of crap neon for the wife, please don't go there!! anyway she had the same problem damn car would stall out and die whenever it wanted to. long story short dodge put on
something that monitored the car while driving.so when it did happen it was recorded. anyway once it stalled out dodge had a record of it...

anyway they gave up on trying to fix it and it was replaced by the lemon law.

Now THAT'S real troubleshooting... Or at least they tried to figure it out. And they did good by replacing it.

The road noise issue is becoming more fun than Miata doors! :tup:

As cool as I think the SRT8 Challenger, Charger and 300 are, I would never buy another Chrysler-Jeep-Mitsubishi product again. They're all poorly made crap and they seem to have recurring problems across different models and brands.

1995 Mitsubish Eclipse GS (basically a Neon in GT hatchback form):
- Fuel pump relay or some other electronic bit goes bad. Car sits for two weeks waiting for part because every other Neon and Neon-engined Eclipse or Avenger has theirs go bad at the same time.
- Sunroof sticks and tracks and motor fails. Replaced twice.
- Lower control arm ball joints seals are faulty, allowing moisture inside, causing rust and failure of ball joint. Ball joint fails and car falls to ground after losing front wheel at 45mph. Later that week, a recall notice for the part arrives in the mail, and I start seeing other Eclipses, Neons, Talons and Avengers parked alongside the road with a front wheel missing.
- Transmission self-destructs, sending parts through bell housing.

2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4X4:
- Electronic sensor failure causes vehicle to go into limp mode. Diagnosed but not solved in three visits. Eventually, various sensors and command modules replaced.
- I hear grinding and clicking from my front end and check NHSTA website for info before letter arrives announcing lower control arm ball joint seals are recalled. Again, lengthy wait for parts as every Liberty in the country begins to experience failures.
- Transfer case fails, dropping front propeller shaft on road.

Jap crap what????

Professordave - :bowrofl:

I wouldn't own a japense car, or japanese made car ever again due to the quality issues I have had with the one I own now, along with the fact that nothing that has come out of Japan is of interest to me at this point. The whole "japanese is more reliable" thing is a myth as far as I am concerned. Unless of course we are comparing to chrysler/jeep. I have had a lot of friends who have issues with those vehicles.

I am not a chrysler fan, either.

You can try for a lemon-law buy-back. I know a guy on the GT500 forum that had Ford buy his GT500 back because of shifting issues that they refused to fix. He took a $2000 depreciation hit due to the miles he already had put on it.

I don't know what you should buy to replace it as I don't know your budget, or what kind of vehicle you are after. As to road-noise, the 370Z does have some, but it's a 3200# sports car. You have a 4,000#+ muscle-car. They are two totally different vehicles. It is like an F150 owner saying he chose the F150 because it could go over a 12" deep stream of water whereas a corvette would get flooded doing so. Well of course.

The road-noise in the 370Z is no more than I experienced while in a 911 4S. It's there, and you can hear it, and if you focus on it it might annoy you, but if you drive the car as intended you will forget about it.

I don't agree with much of your post, but I agree that this is not as true anymore as it once was. The domestic brands have stepped up their games lately, especially Ford, and Korean cars may not be as reliable, but they come with a much better warranty for the most part.

I have only owned 5 cars in my 25 years of life, but the absolute worst car is my Infiniti. It is also the newest, with the least miles. The materials my '93 crown-vic was made from are vastly superior regarding the bushings, under-hood hoses, etc. Same for all my other domestics.

So far the entire driveline in my Infiniti has had to be replaced, sans engine. Never had that issue in a domestic. I have also never found myself under the hood of a domestic fixing all the cracked rubber intake tubing with permatex because it has rotted out and I don't want to spend a bazillion $$ replacing it all.

Maybe I just bought 3 good domestics and 1 decent one, and 1 horrible import, maybe not.

Either way, my case goes to show it's 1/2-dozen one or the other, no matter whos cool-aid you are sipping. The remaining point is that when a domestic is broken, it's a lot cheaper to fix than when an import is broken.

As to 2008 and newer, I would buy domestic no question. Some models are more prone to breaking than others, but as a whole, the reliability of american drivetrains seems to be way beyond that of their foreign counterparts. Japanese window-motors still might outlast those made by Gm, but I'm more concerned about my engine/transmission than a window motor.

Yeah, I tend to think that it was either a lemon in your case, or else maybe that model of Infiniti was just crap. Dunno. But I think the idea of basing a purchasing decision solely on country of origin, in this case the "Japan = reliable" leads to disappointment. My folks have an Acura with over 200k miles on it, and it's been very reliable. They also have a Chevy with over 200k on it, just as reliable.

:iagree: domestics are cheaper to fix.

It certainly did in my case. I bought into the "4 cylinders, Japan, RELIABLE!" myth. It has bit me in the arse. Now that I have replaced the axles,ignition,transmission,O2,cap,rotor,a few suspension bushings, all the motor mounts, transmission mount, radiator, I SHOULD be good for another 100K miles. Maybe.

:shakes head: ouch that sucks, man.

It's fine. That is really what broke me of wanting a 370Z and sent me back to GM. I feel good about my decision. I jsut have to pipe up every time someone starts with that crap about how japanese cars are so good. I bought a 2002 Infiniti, and in my experience, they are just about the same as any other car, if not worse due to the inferior materials used. Nissan's paint is another such item. None of this shows up in the first 3 years or so of ownership, but after a while, cheap rubber, etc. rots, and you are left with very expensive repairs, a rattly ride, and in general, a piece of ****. SO yes, initial quality APPEARS very high as the panels in japanese cars are usually well fit, etc. It's how it holds up in 5-8 years that American cars show their superiority. Window motors are much cheaper than replacing all the motor mounts and every bushing in the suspension, etc.